Crude Steel Output Down 8% in South America

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  The full-year 2019 production statistics published by the World Steel Association (worldsteel) indicates notable decline in crude steel production by South American countries.

The South American crude steel output totalled 41.161 million tonnes (Mt) during the previous year. This compares with the output of 44.947 Mt in 2018. Uruguay recorded highest production jump, with its output surging higher by over 8% over the year from 60,000 tonnes to 65,000 tonnes. On the other hand, Venezuelan output declined the most, falling by over 61% year-on-year.

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The largest producer in the region, Brazil, saw its output fall by 9% from 35.407 Mt to 32.236 Mt. The second largest regional producer, Argentina reported 10% decline in production from 5.162 Mt to 4.645 Mt. In third place was Peru with total production of 1.240 Mt. The output by the country edged higher slightly by 1.9% over 2018.

The regional production in Dec ’19 totalled 3.122 Mt. The leading producers were Brazil (2.416 Mt), Argentina (326,000 tonnes) and Chile (120,000 tonnes). All countries in the region except Uruguay and Ecuador reported reduced output during the month.

Incidentally, the global crude steel production had totalled 152.121 Mt in Dec ’19 and 1.849 billion tonnes in the entire year 2019.